We have the pleasure to announce the inauguration of the 29th edition of our Summer University on Federalism, Decentralization and Conflict Resolution. Participants were welcome on Monday by the Co-Director of the Institute of Federalism, Professor Eva Maria Belser and Ursulla Keller Senior Policy Advisor, Head Governance Unit of the governance group of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The mayor of Fribourg Thierry Steiert also honored us by welcoming participants on Tuesday morning.

This year we are pleased to have 49 participants from 17 countries. During three weeks of sessions with renowned international lecturers, participants will deepen their knowledge of topics including federalism and decentralization, power-sharing, multilevel governance, and conflict resolution. The program also includes group work, simulations and case studies, from India to South Africa, Syria or Ethiopia.

The group of participants bring with them a wide variety of academic perspectives, professional experiences and cultural insights from all over the world, allowing for inspiring exchanges and peer-learning. They will also have the opportunity to discover the town and canton of Fribourg, as well as the Federal Parliament in Bern.